Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (4-11) vs. James Madison Dukes (14-2)
January 18, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: James Madison Dukes -19; Over/Under: +144
(Get latest betting odds)
The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and the James Madison Dukes meet in college basketball action from the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Thursday night. Can ULM Get their first conference win? Or will James Madison keep the ball rolling at home? Let’s dive in and find out with our Louisiana-Monroe vs. James Madison Prediction.
Louisiana-Monroe Team Preview
The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks come into this one looking to snap an eight-game losing skid after a 67-54 loss to Texas State last time out. Tyreke Locure and Nika Metskhvarishvili each have 10 PPG as the lone pair of double-digit scorers for ULM so far this season with Locure posting a team-high 2.7 APG and Metskhvarishvili logging 5.9 RPG to lead the Warhawks on the glass. Jalen Bolden also has 8.4 PPG with 5.9 RPG as well this season. As a team, Louisiana-Monroe is averaging 66.9 PPG on 40.5% shooting from the field, 26.1% from three and 64% from the foul line this season.
James Madison Team Preview
The James Madison Dukes come into this one looking to bounce back from a 59-55 loss at the hands of App State in their last matchup. Terrence Edwards Jr. leads the Dukes in scoring with 17.1 PPG along with 5.1 RPG and 3.1 APG while T.J. Bickerstaff has 14.8 PPG with a team-high 8.9 RPG to lead the Dukes on the glass this season. Noah Friedel has 11.6 PPG with 5.2 RPG, rounding out the group of double-digit scorers for JMU so far this season. Michael Green III has 9.4 PPG with a team-high 3.9 APG to lead JMU in assists while Julien Wooden has 9 PPG and 3.3 RPG as well this season. As a team, James Madison is averaging 86.8 PPG on 47.8% shooting from the field, 33.8% from three and 69.9% from the foul line this season. James Madison is 15-2 in the Sun Belt standings.
Louisiana-Monroe vs. James Madison Prediction
I’m on James Madison here. Louisiana-Monroe has the worst offense in the Sun Belt in conference play, and James Madison, all they’ve done for the better part of the season is beat up on lower-end teams at home. I think this game ends up being no different so give me the Dukes in a beatdown.
